Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1887-02-17
From Our Regular correspondent
Washington Letter.
WASHINGTON, Feb. Z, 1887.

| WASHINGTON Feb. Z, 1887.
| As to what Congress is doing and talk
| ing about in these last weeks of its life
| might be mentioned hundreds of things if
| space permitted. The latest legislation of
Importance includes nearly hundred pen
sion bills, the measure prohibiting Con
| gressmen from acting as attorneys for
railroads and some of the regular appro-
| priation bills, which always provoke de
bate. There were some interesting debates
| during the week on the subject of reduc-
| ing the surplus millions" by building
| ships and coast dcfenses on the impro-
| priety of Congressional funerals at public
| expense, on the perfect propriety of Civ
| ing Congressman clerks at public expense,
and there was political discussion sprung
in which Democratic Senators INDUCED in
a criticism of the Administration.
! Mr.. Kelly of Pennsylvania, who is the old
| est member of the House of Representatives
| spoke in favor Of the bill authorizing the
| appointment and prescribing the compen-
sation of clerks to Senators and Repre-
scntatives who are not chairmen of com
mittees as well a. to those who are. Speak
| ing from twentysiX years experience he
said he had year after year paid from his
salary $500 for such services As he was OBJ
| liged to employ a clerk to perform. He
was now paying gentleman 500 month
/. r L
constituents knew the sacrifices he had
made 10 serve them they would shock the
public sense by making up fund to REIN
burse him.
Mr. Kelly emphasized the fact that he
did not want a clerk to help him get Of
fees. He had declined 4 denomination in
1865 until plank was put in the platform
that he should not be expected to seek TO
administer the minor offices of the govern
ment For eighteen years his constituents
had elected him with increasing maioritics
because they found him serving the gencr
al interests of the people and lcav-
ing the offices to the care of those to
whom the Constitution and the laws con-
fdcd them.
Representative Curtin, the old war gov
ernor of Pennsylvania also bore testimony
TO the laborous round ~ a Congressman's
life He was going ont Of Congress. hut
he was glad of mn opportunity, be-
fore he went, 10 ire one stern gun
in Justice to those who would come af-
ter him.
Mr.. Randall and Speaker Carlisle have
been in correspondence more than week
about the tariff. but the last letter left both
wings Of the party almost as far apart as
ever on the question. Should they finally
harmonic sufficiently another effort will
be made during the week 10 get the qucs-
tiou Of revenue reduction before the
House. 1t would fail, Of course a us
ual and that would end the matter for this
session.
The President has received large num-
ber OF telcgrams and letters indorsing his
action in the case Of Mr. Matthews and the
latter gentleman is also the recipient of
expressions of sympathy from different
parts of the country. 1t is impossible to
make a color issue out Of the rejection OF
the Presidents appriutee for Recorder of
Deeds. either against the Senate or against
the Republican party. There was nothing
like a party vote. Both Democrats
and Republicans voted against the nomin-
alton.
senator Vance, Of North Carolina, a
Democratic member OF the District Com
mittee, said Il voted against Matthews
because he was a negro carpet-bagger, and
| don't care who knows it." Much cur
io>ity i shown - know what the
President viii do about the matter
next.
There Is no foundation for the report Of
a formal movement looking to the i'm
peachment of Secretary Manning. Suf-
ficicnt strength could not be obtained in u
Democratic House if such an attempt were
made. But the extreme silver men and
greenbackers have for months been out
spoken in their hostility to Mr. Manning's
policy, and have repeatedly asserted that
the Treasury Department, under the pres
ent regime, persistently violates the laws
in reference to silver purchases and small
note issues
1t seems to be understood now that Secret
AIRY Manning will soon retire from the Cah-
net and many believe that the Treasury port
folio Will be offered to Minister Pendleton,
gentleman George" who has just return
ed to the United States from Berlin. There
is a great deal of gossip TO this effect, and
the fact that Mr.. Pendleton returned at
the request Of the President gives addition
al weight to the possibilities il his